Once Ankoku's message — centered on the valley — spread, everyone nearby, whether on patrol or on missions, dropped what they were doing and drifted toward the valley in twos and threes.
On the third day after Kairen's team sent out the alert, three battered Uchiha arrived at the valley. Unlike earlier visitors who hid their faces, these three bore their Konoha uniforms openly, the clan crest stitched across their backs. They followed the marks straight to the Hall of Serenity.
A double-sword Uchiha spotted Ankoku waiting in the yard and strode toward him. Honō lounged in a chair, IV bag dangling, soaking in the sun. Retsu stepped out slowly, still feeling the ache in his arm.
The three newcomers paused a beat, and all at once their Sharingan spun into place. The swordsman spoke harshly, "You sent the message? You said someone died — who's dead? Is it Kairen? Who did it?"
Ankoku kept his tone steady. "Calm down. Kairen was hurt, but he's okay now — he'll be out and about by noon. This was Root. Let's discuss it inside."
Hearing that their kin were alive, the three eased, closing their eyes and lowering their guards as they entered. Soon seven more Uchiha arrived. Word that trouble had broken out in the valley had drawn people; many others, wanting no part of it, stayed away — if it didn't involve them, they avoided it.
Kairen walked back at a leisurely pace. At the gate he froze — four Uchiha stood there; one was a familiar face. He dispelled his Transformation and approached.
"Kairen," he greeted with a bow. "Sa-sensei — you came. That's a relief."
It was their old teacher, Uchiha Sa. Sa's expression didn't relax; the message had reported a dead youth. If it wasn't Kairen, it had to be one of the others. He said sternly, "Who's hurt, Kairen?"
"Huh? Hurt? What do you mean? When our team did that job, Root set a trap. We fought a huge battle — we barely survived. Everyone was badly wounded, including me. We waited in the valley for support, thinking we wouldn't make it."
When Kairen confirmed everyone was alive, Sa exhaled and motioned everyone inside the valley.
Walking into the Hall of Serenity, Kairen felt a bit detached — counting his squad and the others, there were eighteen Uchiha gathered. He'd always known how much the clan loved talking about family, how tightly they rallied — but he hadn't expected a single rumor to pull so many together.
The double-sword man stepped up to Kairen, rubbed the boy's head and said, "Kairen — I came the minute I heard. Knowing you're safe... I can breathe again. We've sent our people out; from now on, no one can touch one of our own."
Kairen chuckled. "Revenge never sleeps — I like that. Uncle, you came fast. I was worried the past couple of days. If they'd gotten here first, we'd have been toast."
The swordsman's smile hardened. "They wouldn't have arrived in time. Those who did it are already dead."
Around them, other Uchiha let out low, cold laughs. Kairen blinked — the clan's temper flared quick. Know who did it, see them, kill them. Very Uchiha.
Kairen felt warmth spread through his chest. This clan… I'll protect them with you.
---
High in the Uchiha district, the elders and leaders gathered. In past clashes with the Hokage faction, some had tried to talk things out; this time there was no talk — Uchiha family men like Kairen's father wanted Danzō dead with their own hands.
Elders who normally favored compromise now shouted for the eradication of Danzō's faction. Only the oldest grand elder sat calm — this chaos was exactly what he had been waiting for.
That was the point of the task force in the first place: push a hot button so the village's top brass couldn't ignore it. Even if Konoha's higher-ups did nothing, a ripple through the clan would create voices and pressure. Pull one thread and the whole machine twitched. Thank you, Danzō.
Uchiha clan head Uchiha Nobunaga (the family patriarch) found himself stuck trying to keep order. What began as a family meeting turned into a roar of accusation. Plans still had to be made, so amid the shouting they drew up a strategy and began executing it immediately.
Even ordinary villagers noticed — something felt wrong. Few Uchiha walked the streets today; in fact, there were hardly any shinobi around. Whispered rumors spread. Shops closed early. The village's mood turned tight and uneasy.
At the Hokage's office, accusations flew. The Fourth Hokage pulled smoke from his pipe and stepped in. "Danzō may have acted," he said, tamping down the shouting. "But we can't let this become a war between neighbors. The Uchiha want an explanation; give them one with sincerity and the matter will die down."
A Root operative reported, "Hokage-dono — the Uchiha clan leaders and the patriarch have arrived. There are a dozen jonin outside."
An hour later the Uchiha departed; Konoha returned to its usual patrols. In the clan compound, the great elder and the patriarch sat opposite each other.
"Well," the patriarch said, "we got a little from this."
The grand elder snorted. "You're still too timid for a clan leader. You're pleased with a scrap of bone as a reward? Forming that little squad, putting Ankoku in charge, sending them into the valley and to the Land of Waves — all of it set them up to be handed to Danzō like meat. He'd feast on it. He's predictable."
"He also moved agents to nearby missions," the elder went on. "When the ambush happened, it gave him cover. What did we get for it? A few payoffs, promotions for some youngsters, and a slap on the wrist for Danzō. Half the Root operatives are merely restricted? Who knows how many of them are truly handed over? It's meaningless."
Nobunaga reddened under the elder's rebuke — but he knew the old man couldn't be ignored. He'd raised him, after all. "I told them this outward story: the valley was attacked by rogue shinobi. If that's how it's framed, then we'll not stop at talking. We'll crush the valley open and hit Danzō where it hurts — his funds, his tricks."
The great elder laughed, bloodthirsty. "Fine — give him a good slap and watch him howl."